Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-21

heard but the shrill whistle of the wind
We felt that We stood in the presence of
death.
Towards | O'Clock that night all this
was told me months afterwards, in an
anguish of spirit which shall remember
to nv diving dayl, kimhall was beset by a
temptation. 1t was the hour for sending
the latest news to the st. Paul, Chicago
and New York papers with which he was
connected Why not furnish the item
that stage driver Ben Hodgson had per
ished in a blizzard News half day old
was no news at all in kimball's eyes. Ii
must have the bloom on it.
True, Hodgson might still he alive.
But even in that event, what harm could
come of it, kimhall argued A corre-
spondent ALWAYS has to venture some
thing.
For full ten minutes he struggled with
his better nature, but the devil finally
conquered, the journalist got ahead of the
friend. At o'clock the wires carried
the intelligence far aud wide that Ben
Hodgson, the most popular stage driver
in Dakota, was dead. Now Kimball was
not by any means unfeeling, only he was
a newspaper man. Hodgson's 5 death must
be made use Of like any other event of in
terest. 1t was not that he loved Ben less,
but his journalistic reputation more.
The article in his own paper, however,
was a model of discretion, because of
Venice's exceeding sensitivencss. Kim
ball never forgot that he had once been
waited upon by committee and respect
fully requested to keep all mention of the
weather out of his new daily on pain of
finding himself and his carpet bag without
the city walls So the Tornado simply
referred to the blizzard as n rather pro
nounced storm, such rs might have oc-
CURED in Massachusetts or New York or
Virginia even. There was nothing in the
article to offend the most fastidious taste
or to iniure in any way the emigration to
Dakota
The next day. as soon as possible after
the storm had cleared away, parties were
sent out in search of the missing stage
driver But before they came back in
walked Hodgson himself, cold and hungry
and weak, but otherwise none the worse
for his experience. He had found shelter
In deserted hut, left by some one. who
through its means, had obtained claim.
Over bowl of punch that evening he was
duly congratulated both OH his deliverance
from death and his approaching marriage.
Within forty-eight hours he would be off
for Sleepy Eye, and he was in the seventh
heaven of happiness. Kimball was scarcely
less delighted than Ben, for he was greatly
attached to the big hearted, simple minded
fellow. Apart from journalistic consider
alton, he much preferred to have his friend
alive.
When Hodgson came in to say good-by
the noon train carrying him TO Sleepy
Eye and Annie-Kimball was up to his
ears In some very perplexing copy While
waiting for the absorbed editor to find a
breathing spell. Ben took a bundle of
dispatches Just in from Minnesota. He
was always interested in Minnesota. Annie
lived there.
For the next few minutes nothing was
heard but the rapid scratch of KiMball's
pen and Ben's low articulation.
Suddenly from his lips, slowly moving
as he read. issued avid cry.
Kimball started abruptly to his feet
Before him stood Hodgson. his face blood
less. his eyes staring Around him in
every direction were scattered the dis
patches. Only one he held crushed in his
hand.
Read that" he shrieked Annie my
Annie. 1t has killed her, killed her, killed
her"